HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Mayor Tommy Battle has been in the hospital since Saturday because of complications from knee surgery.

Chief of Staff Trent Willis said Battle had surgery Oct. 1 to repair minor ligament damage in his left knee. The operation ended up being "more extensive" than planned after surgeons saw the damage, he said.

"Since that time, additional corrective procedures have been needed and the mayor is continuing his recovery and physical therapy," Willis said today.

Willis was not sure when Battle might be released from Huntsville Hospital but said the 54-year-old mayor is "alert and attending to his duties" from his hospital room.

"He's been in near constant communication with us," Willis said. "We're just hoping for a clean bill of health from the doctors."